Posted in Home Interiors & Design

Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition that raise home value and last a lifetime. In order to ensure your hardwood floors pay back their investment, it is important to clean and maintain them properly. These tips will help you reduce the risk of damage and enjoy immaculate hardwood flooring for years to come. 

DAILY CARE

Hardwood flooring requires daily care to stay in top condition. These chores can be done quickly in your spare time throughout the day. A dry microfiber mop is the best way to pick up fine hairs, dust, and dirt. Microfiber draws small particles into the cloth, so it is ideal for preventing a buildup of dust and fine debris. A broom can be used to sweep up larger messes and dirt that collects around doorways. After sweeping, follow with the dry mop to ensure the floors are completely clean. It is important to complete these daily care steps to prevent scratches resulting from dirty floors. 

VACUUMING HARDWOOD FLOORS

Once or twice a week, depending on your needs, run a vacuum over your floors to pick up dirt you might have missed with the dry mop. Be sure not to use a vacuum with the beater bar down because this can scratch and damage floors. Opt for a soft brush attachment instead. The wheels of the vacuum can also affect the hardwood, so a lightweight weight vacuum is a good option. 

MOPPING HARDWOOD FLOORS

After running the vacuum, wipe over the floors with a wet mop. Avoid using too many cleaning products on your hardwood because it can leave behind a residue. The floor should only be slightly damp as you use the wet mop. Be careful to avoid using too much water when mopping to avoid floor damage. For this reason, twist mops and steam mops are not generally recommended. 

SPOT CLEANING

For spot cleaning, wipe up the mess with a damp microfiber cloth. Wipe up excess water after the area is clean. The area between planks can be cleaned with a small toothbrush to scrub away dirt that collects in the cracks. Don’t forget to clean corners and areas the vacuum can’t reach. 

PROTECT FLOORING

In addition to cleaning, you need to take some precautions to protect your hardwood floors. Avoid walking on your hardwood floors while wearing dirty shoes. Adding door mats are a good way to prevent dirt from being tracked inside. You should also use protective caps or padding under heavy furniture. This will protect the floors when the furniture needs to be moved and it also prevents denting. 

Devoting some time to daily care and cleaning will keep your hardwood floors in top condition. Take some measures to protect your flooring from excess dirt being tracked in and use padding beneath heavy furniture. Proper hardwood care will ensure your floors retain their quality and decrease chances of damage.